Serving table



June 28, 1932.

H. HOWE SERVING TABLE Filed June 7, 1929 IN VENTOR. fiheaw //a h/- Patented June 28, 1932 UNITED STATES HAROLD HOWE, on NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO news FOLDING FURNITURE, rim,

or new YORK, N. Y.

SERVING TABLE Application filed June 7, 1929. Serial No. 369,064.

My invention relates to serving tables and has for its primary object the provision of a folding table of this character which affords many features and advantages as will A) be more particularly pointed out as the description proceeds.

The ordinary type of serving table used largely in hotels for serving meals in rooms, is of the ordinary rigid or stationary type, and is usually bulky and heavy and difficult to carry on elevators through doors, etc. Furthermore such tables require a large amount of storage space when not being used.

I have provided a serving table which adequately meets all the requirements of a table of that type and which is particularly adaptable for hotel use and as well for home use for providing extra tables for the serving of meals, etc.

Another object of my invention is to provide a folding serving table wherein the folding parts including the drop leaves are substantially supported when in operative position and which may be quickly and easily folded and unfolded.

Another object of my invention lies in the provision of a table of this character which may be readily made of metal frame construction whereby to provide a more rigid and durable table than has heretofore been possible, to withstand the rough usage which tables of this character are subjected to. By such metal construction the pivoted parts are movable metal to metal which lends rigidity and sturdiness thereto.

Still another advantage of my invention lies in the fact that with my folding table, four or five in folded condition, occupy no more storage space than one of the stationary t e.

A still further object is to provide a table of this character which is provided with wheels and casters whereby the same may be rolled from one place to another rather than carried. This renders not only the transportation of the tables to the rooms or points of usage easy but also facilitates the storing of the tables.

Other objects and advantages in details of construction and operation will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawing gigure 1 is a side view of my improved ta c.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof with the Additional side bars 4 extend between the uprights 1 on each side of the table at a point spaced slightly below the top for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described, and which side bars 4 also serve to strengthen the frame provided by these bars.

Although the frame just described may be made of wood. it is preferably constructed of angle iron bars or other suitable metal, which is especially adaptable for tables made for hotel use wherein hard and rough usage and treatment is accorded them. These angle bars may be secured together at their points of engagement by welding, riveting, bolting, or other suitable means as desired. Suitably secured to and supported by the horizontal flanges of the upper side bars 2 are the spaced fiat wooden strips 5 forming a part of the table top. The inner edges of these members 5 are hinged as at 6 to the outer edges of a center wooden strip 7 also forming a part of the table top and the upper surface of which is flush with the upper surface of the members 5 when the table is unfolded for use as shown in Figure 2.

The outer edges of the members 5 project beyond the upright supports 1 and connecting members 8 are provided between such extending edges and the upright supports 1 whereby to lend rigidity and stability thereto, and to permit turning or folding of the members 5.

Hinged to the outer extending edges of the members 5, as at 9, are drop leaves 10 adapted to be folded upwardly as shown in full lines in Figure 2, or to be lowered to the dotted line position in that figure. Means are provided for supporting the drop leaves 10 in upper position, that is with their upper surfaces flush with the upper surface of the members 5 and 7 such supporting means comprising a pivoted support 1 1, pivoted to each of the side angle bars 4 by means of the pins 11a, said pins passing through the outwardly turned lugs or wings .12 provided at one end of the supIport ,11.

It will be noted with reference to igure 4 that the upper wing 12 of this support lies just below the upper angle bar 4 and that the upper edge of the support 11 extends upwardly along side the vertical flange of said angle bar 1, to engage directly the under surface of the outwardly extending edge of the member 5 and the drop leaf 10. It will also be noticed from Figure 1, that by this arrangement, the vertical flange of the angle bar a provides a stop limiting the pivotal movement of the supporting member 11.

The lower ends of the upright supporting bars 1 are secured together in spaced relation by means of preferably wooden bottom boards 13, hinged along their outer edges as at 13a to the vertical flanges of the lower side bars 3 and having their inner edges hinged together as at 1 1 whereby said members 13 may be folded together as shown clearly in Figure 3. A turn button 15 or other locking device may be pivoted to one of the members 13 and adapted to be moved to overlying position with. respect to the other member 13 when they are unfolded as in Figure 2, thus holding them in unfolded position and lending rigidity thereto.

The center board 7 forming a portion of the table top, has provided on its underside adjacent each end, a depending bracket 16 to which are pivoted the upper ends of a pair of links 17, the lower ends of which are pivoted to pins 18. Also pivoted to the pins 18 are the upper ends of links 19 having their lower ends pivotally connected to pins 20 mounted in the vertical flanges of short angle bars 21 secured to the ends of the bottom boards 13 and providing an additional brace and support therefor.

The upright end members 1 are provided intermediate their ends with slots 22 running longitudinally of said barsand within which the pins 18 are slidable. The purpose of this arrangement is shown clearly in Figure 3 and is of course to permit the folding of the table by bringing the upright supporting bars 1 closer together laterally- More specifically, if it is desired to collapse the table from the unfolded position shown in Figure 2, the pivoted drop leaf supports are swung on their pivots to the position shown in Figures 1 and 4e, whereupon the leaves 10 assume the angle position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

Ifthe turn button 15 now be rotated on its pivot out of engagement with one of the bottom boards 13, and the table lifted at its ends by means of the center top piece 7, such bottom boards 13 may be collapsed together upwardly at the hinged point 14, resulting in moving the pins 18 upwardly in the slots 22 and of course causing the top boards 5 to turn at their hinge points 6 to the position shown in Figure 3. A hook 23 may be pivoted to one of the upright bars 1 and adapted to engage with a pin 24 in the adjacent upright 1 when the same have been folded to gether as shown in Figure 3.

The lower ends of the upright bars 1 at one end of the table are supported upon wheels 25 suitably secured to one of the flanges of the angle bars comprising such uprights, and the lower ends of the opposite upright bars 1 may be provided with casters 26 suitably secured to the said uprights. Thus the table may be readily whee-led about from place to place either in folded or unfolded condition.

When it is desired to again unfold the table and set it up for use, it is necessary merely to unhook the latch 23 and raise the top boards 5 which automatically serves through the means of the links 17 and 19, to lower the bottom boards 13 to the position shown in Figure 2. This operation may be performed by merely lifting upwardly on the table or by spreading the frame members. The turn button 15 may then be rotated to hold the bottom boards 13 in such position, and if it is desired to use the drop leaves 10, they may be lifted up and the supports therefor pivoted outwardly to supporting position.

It will be noted that due to the angle iron bar construction, a table of rigidity and sturdy construction is provided, practically all of the pivotal points being metal against metal, thus reducing the likelihood of breakage and increasing the life of the table. It will be noted also that with the table in folded condition as shown in Figure 3, it occupies but a very limited space for storage, and due to the wheels and casters, it may be readily and quickly moved from place to place for use.

While I have shown and described what may be perhaps the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the exact form thereof as many changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not limit myself therefore, other than by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A folding table comprising an open frame having spaced uprights connected by side rails, hinged top and bottom members supported by said frame, and means pivotally connected with said members and slidably connected with said frame whereby said table may be collapsed and said side rails moved toward each other uniformly.

2. A folding table comprising open side frames, hinged top and bottom members supported thereby, and means pivotally connected with said members and slidably connected with said frames, whereby said table may be collapsed and said side frames moved toward each other uniformly.

3. A folding table comprising open sided frames, atop member positioned between said frames and spaced therefrom, additional to members hinged to said first member an supported upon. said frames, and brace members slidably connected with said frame and pivotally connected to said top members whereby said additional top members may be hinged downwardly and said frames moved toward each other uniformly.

4. A folding table comprising open sided frames, a top member positioned between said frames and spaced therefrom, additional top members hinged to said first member and supported upon said frames, and brace members slidably connected with said frame and pivotally connected to said top members whereby said additional top members may be hinged downwardly and said frames moved toward each other uniformly, and hinged bottom members supported by said frames and having brace members pivotally connected to said bottom members and slidably connected to said frames.

5. A folding table comprising metal frames of angle form, hinged top and bottom members supported by said frame, and brace members pivoted to said top and bottom members and slidably connected to said frame whereby said members may be folded uniformly, said brace members comprising links having a pin and slot engagement with parts of said angle frame.

In testimony whereof, I afliX my signature.

HAROLD HOWE. 

